Don’t Get Fooled Again

It’s been reported that Bret Hart might be interested in returning to WWE.

Why? To do what?

Hart had a stroke in 2002. He can’t work, can’t bump. Unless WWE hired him as a goodwill ambassador – some irony there – what can he do? He could be the Raw GM and make coffeepot matches, feuding with Vince McMahon along the way, but what’s the payoff? He could manage a protégé against DX and seek revenge for the Montreal Screwjob, but unless Hart can ultimately return to the ring, what’s the payoff? Do you turn DX heel? Do you turn Hart heel? The logistics are difficult.

Why would McMahon re-hire Hart? Well, the minute the Montreal Screwjob becomes part of a current storyline involving Hart, it starts moving from shoot to work. Which means Bret didn’t really knock Vince on his ass. Removing that indignity from history is important to McMahon.

Hart would spike TV ratings for a bit. But again, no in-ring payoff, which makes cashing in via PPV unlikely. Hart’s return wouldn’t help business much. He hasn’t wrestled since 2000. His profile has receded. A lot of people watching WWE TV have only a vague idea of who he is.

I have no idea why Hart would want to return to WWE. He’s made quite the pastime of martyring himself since Nov. 9, 1997. I don’t say that flippantly. Bret was deeply wounded.

I don’t see the upside for Hart. WWE put his dad out of business, inadvertently killed his brother and double-crossed him professionally, personally and financially. If I were Hart, I would simply not forgive, and I wouldn’t allow McMahon a chance to profit by me.

Well, unless I needed the money. I don’t think Hart does. Perhaps Hart feels his presence would help advance the careers of the Hart Dynasty, which features two relatives and a wrestler Bret trained.